Lions roar to glory
29 Oct 2011
GARETH DUNCAN, reporting from Ellis Park, watched the Lions break their 12-year Currie Cup title drought with a 42-16 hammering of the Sharks.
After 12 years of silverware starvation, the Lions have finally fed.
The 26-point victory completed a dream campaign – which included a table-topping run throughout the league phase and an impressive 29-20 semi-final win over a WP side that had six World Cup Springboks in their match day squad. This result was also the Lions’ first Currie Cup final triumph at Ellis Park in 61 years.
The Lions wanted it more than their opposition. The Sharks, who struggled for momentum and lacked a clinical edge, looked second best for most parts of the match. The hosts ran faster, tackled harder and toiled tirelessly around the park. That determination – no – that hunger for victory influenced John Mitchell’s ‘no-name brands’ to thump a strong, Springbok-laden Sharks side.
Those who backed a win for the visitors pointed to the quality of their squad, which included seven World Cup Boks. But this match proved to be one game too much for the likes of Bismarck du Plessis and Beast Mtawarira, who struggled to make any trademark impact after long and tiring year. There was also a lack of cohesion, despite this group spending the past three weeks together.
The Lions, who’ve played generally the same side since day one of Super Rugby in February, worked like a well-oiled machine. But during this impressive team performance, the player who made the ultimate difference was flyhalf Elton Jantjies. The youngster showed Mitchell was correct in selecting him ahead of veteran Butch James during the play-off stages. After starring in the Lions’ semi-final win last Saturday, the 20-year-old displayed a Man of the Match performance as he kicked 24 points without missing one attempt.
The platform was set with a good showing in the first half. The Lions mixed moments of impressive attacking play with a resilient defence to hold a 19-6 half-time lead.
Jantjies and fullback Jaco Taute, who nailed a 57m penalty, traded penalties with flyhalf Frederic Michalak early on before wing Michael Killian scored the first try of the match. From a scrum in centre field, centre Doppies la Grange broke the Sharks defence through a set-piece move. His offload put Killian clear.
But it looked like the half would end badly for the Lions. Prop CJ van der Linde had a moment of madness in the 32-minute when he threw Sharks skipper Keegan Daniel over his shoulder whilst clearing a ruck. It earned him a yellow card. The Sharks built momentum with their one-player advantage and paid four visits to the Lions’ red zone. However, they couldn’t find a much-needed finish and the Lions escaped without conceding any points.
Then there was a controversial moment early in the second half when Willem Alberts scored a try that should not have been allowed. The Sharks flanker broke the Lions’ defensive line, but lost the ball forward in the process. However, the knock-on wasn’t sighted by the officials and referee Mark Lawrence, who seeked advice from his assistant, awarded the try. The Sharks were back in it as Michalak’s conversion made it 22-16. Game on.
The Lions, however, had other plans as that was the Sharks’ last score of the match. The following 31 minutes was arguably the best passage of play the Lions have showcased this year.
It was a strong performance that secured 20 points to seal the famous win. First, Pat Cilliers powered over from close range after the Lions attacked from deep. Jantjies added two penalties before Taute had the pace to finish another attacking move in the corner. The following conversion was the final nail in the Sharks’ coffin.
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827 Comments
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29 Oct 2011, 19:05 pm
try time clean through the middle the Mitchell Spencer show has ARRIVED
Taute or Jantjies MOM .. Taute always EVERYWHERE.. Most exciting FB in the country by far.. Put Lambie Pambie in the shade
Jantjies is little general on top of his game. MOM performance today
29 Oct 2011, 19:06 pm
butch is KAK
29 Oct 2011, 19:06 pm
Oh now Butch! You’re lucky it’s already game over.
29 Oct 2011, 19:06 pm
@ET.(ET.)-149: Mitch is the best coach working in SA. He has instilled intelligence into the Lions play.
29 Oct 2011, 19:06 pm
Congratulations Lions, a well deserved win, you played brilliantly and Sharks absolutely dismal and deserve to lose.
29 Oct 2011, 19:06 pm
But Butch forgot his glasses, bit of a ball fumble…
29 Oct 2011, 19:07 pm
@carol(carol)-146:
They used to be called the last post of the british empire.
Give me one good reason why a Brit should support the Bulls.
29 Oct 2011, 19:08 pm
Emphatic perfprmance from the Lions tonight.
A credit to the game and a pleasure to watch!
29 Oct 2011, 19:08 pm
@Michael(mikeybrass)-150:
Is he in H E L L?
29 Oct 2011, 19:09 pm
@Michael(mikeybrass)-154:
Seems very much so.
29 Oct 2011, 19:09 pm
Never thought this would be a one sided match
Puma must be devastated… Lambie is being overtaken by Jantjies
29 Oct 2011, 19:10 pm
Final whistle hasn’t gone yet!
29 Oct 2011, 19:11 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-157:
I supported the Bulls because The Stormers were too anoying, never giving Percy a game in his last season.
Then everyone assumed the Sharks were the way I would go, but the Blue Bulls were far more interesting.
I could never wear a jersey with Mr. Price on it!
29 Oct 2011, 19:13 pm
possible springbok backline for future:
9 Hougaard 10 Jantjies 11 Notsureyet 12 F.Steyn 13 J.Fourie 14 M.Killian 15 J.Taute
Lambie as a utility back? I dunno. But god I hope the new coach does some spring cleaning and gets rid of the deadweight
29 Oct 2011, 19:13 pm
lions are on FIRE…
29 Oct 2011, 19:15 pm
Brit supporting bulls? What’s the point of the question? If bulls play good rugby and the brit likes good rugby then why not.
29 Oct 2011, 19:16 pm
Fcing destroyed yes DESTROYED.
How’s that **** tasting we fed you oakes 2 weeks ago?
Fck it will come gloat later. Party time at the tin.
Whoooohoooooo!
29 Oct 2011, 19:16 pm
Lions playing the kind of footy that will give the the advantage in the S15… with less mistakes than!
29 Oct 2011, 19:16 pm
Less mistakes than this year..
29 Oct 2011, 19:16 pm
Well played my second team
29 Oct 2011, 19:16 pm
Who just headbutted that Lions player?
Sore looser!
29 Oct 2011, 19:16 pm
HG and Transformation are drowning their sorrows while G10 is celebrating his new found happiness (and buying a new speedo ’cause of a newly grown wedgie).
29 Oct 2011, 19:16 pm
Well played Lions! A richly deserved season.
29 Oct 2011, 19:17 pm
Stefan’s last game?
29 Oct 2011, 19:18 pm
Briliant reception on the link given….
29 Oct 2011, 19:18 pm
Well done Lions. Far superior and entertaining!
29 Oct 2011, 19:18 pm
Well done lions! Jantjies superb. Sharks filthy tonight and deserved at least 3 yellow cards. Great day for sa rugby
29 Oct 2011, 19:18 pm
@julz(julz)-174: One can only hope.
29 Oct 2011, 19:19 pm
Elton jantjies is the business, that was brilliant!
29 Oct 2011, 19:20 pm
@Michael(mikeybrass)-172: you think i support the GUPPYS? bwahahahahahaha
29 Oct 2011, 19:20 pm
Well done Lions! You beat the a team fully laden with current and past Springboks!!
29 Oct 2011, 19:21 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-166:
29 Oct 2011, 19:21 pm
Imagine if Mitchell was the Bok coach. He has taken a team of no names to glory. What he could do if he was Bok coach.
29 Oct 2011, 19:22 pm
No cohesion or continuity from my guppies tonight.
29 Oct 2011, 19:23 pm
Jeesh I knew the Lions were going to take it today but not by this much – they have smacked the Sharks all the way back to Kings Park. Those boys in Joburg certainly deserve this one. Mitch you beaut! Amazing turnaround for a team that was nowhere at the beginning of the year. Also big thumb of the nose to Gumede – take that beeaitch. Just goes to show Bok or no Bok first comes the team. if you play like a unit you are unbeatable. The Sharks stuffed up by drafting all the Boks back in and at the end of the day they were ineffectual against players who are on top of their game. A big up yours to all the people who said Doppies who? or Hollenbach who? Or Jantjes isnt big enough etc etc. The Sharks got owned. Over and out – geklap. I´m looking forward to seeing this Lions team in Super Rugby. Cheetahs have also been playing some good rugby this year. Dont think next year the SA teams will be such pushovers. Also to all the people who reckoned Minnie doesnt have what it takes to be a Bok – what can I say? You boys dont know your rugby. Alberts, Deysel and Bismarck had a tough time on the park today. So good to see Sa rugby on the up and up.
29 Oct 2011, 19:23 pm
Mitchell look like a superhero action movie star
29 Oct 2011, 19:23 pm
Such pleasure and much fun watching these so different S. African advertisements.
It must break many a fragile, spoilt heart.
29 Oct 2011, 19:23 pm
@XV(XV)-183: The Boks would rule the rugby world again, if Mitch was the Bok coach and given enough time.
29 Oct 2011, 19:23 pm
EMPHATIC destruction of Guppieyuppie Bokkie laden Sharks by Mitch’s Lions
I never expected this one sided destruction of this Bok laden Guppieyuppie side
This Lions outfit got some serious Bok contenders and how Doppies never got recognized yet is a crime.
Wikus Van Heerden still the engine room leader in the tight 5 magnificent game by him and the Bondisio – Jantjies Combo with Taute at back put the Hoffman – Michalak Lambie combo in the shade. Hollenbach, Rhodes, Minnie, Strauss, Whitely also deserve medals of honor.
John Mitchell and Carlos Spencer under Kevin de Klerk g’dam miracle workers
Jantjies MOM one massive game on the night, young boy became a man today all that potential has come of age..
29 Oct 2011, 19:25 pm
Wooden Spoon
Come out wherever you are
29 Oct 2011, 19:26 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-189: well said for once. Spot on the money
29 Oct 2011, 19:27 pm
@Michael(mikeybrass)-188: it took him less than 2 years to turn the ship……imagine 4 yrs with the Boks…jeezzzz
29 Oct 2011, 19:28 pm
Now I am offered a game featuring S.A.Racens/Racists(maybe?) against Gloucester.
29 Oct 2011, 19:29 pm
DOOOPPPPIIIIEEEES!!!!
29 Oct 2011, 19:30 pm
One good thing
Won’t see that pillock great white here again
29 Oct 2011, 19:32 pm
So SARU would settle for Coetzee when they could have Mitchell?
29 Oct 2011, 19:32 pm
Vervet.
29 Oct 2011, 19:33 pm
‘Doppies – ek weet ons kan
maklik by 15 punte wen op
Saterdag [Doppies – we can easily
win by 15 points on Saturday],’
shouts one fan as the centre walks
past. La Grange replies with
cheeky smile.
29 Oct 2011, 19:33 pm
Good speech by Doppies… unlike Stefan last year he did not take a dig at anyone… just thanked all..
29 Oct 2011, 19:34 pm
@wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-196: that is what the numb nuts will do…. sadly
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